Election Express gets early voters to polls

When Wilson County Commissioner of Elections Phillip Warren said he is pulling out all the stops to get early voters to the polls, he means it.

Lebanon First Baptist Church on Wednesday held a fall festival. Warren said normally the church allows voters coming to the Election Commission office to park in their lot. But with the lot became full with festival goers, Warren had to come up with another plan.

Enter Steve Koons, president of the Wilson County Antique Power Association, and his antique 1953 Farmall Super M tractor, as well as the trolley used by the Wilson County Fair.

"People are parking at the courthouse and taking the shuttle," Warren said. "We'll do what we have to do to get them here. It's a fun way to get people down here to vote."

As always, Warren was all about getting voters to the polls.

"We had to come up with a way to get people down here. That was a quick idea," he said. "It's called the Election Express, and we've got it decorated with red, white and blue bunting."

Warren said it's all about cooperation.  

"We got the trolley from the fairgrounds, and Steve is driving the tractor," he said. "We all work together in this county. I doubt there is another county in Tennessee that has a trolley for voters."

He said people were early voting on Halloween Day, and a few came to the polls in costume.  

"We've had a few, but it's kind of tough to make the picture ID work," he said with a laugh.

Early voting continues through Thursday until 6 p.m. before the polls close until Election Day on Tuesday.

Staff writer Mary Hinds may be reached at 615-444-3952, ext. 45 or maryhinds@lebanondemocrat.com.